Page 140 of Brutal Little Secrets

—D

Smiling, I pick up the red flower Cam made me. Each flower is a little different. I’ll add it to the collection of them on my desk at home. I put the sack on the floor and get out my notes and my new highlighters. This is what I thought being in a relationship meant. Being excited to be together. Thinking about each other when we’re apart. Doing little things to make the other happy.

Keira didn’t come to school today, but she messaged to let me know she’ll be back tomorrow. Tonight I have a few scenes thathave been tricky to go over. Including the scene with Chase, but since Hawk has practice, Jason will be playing Cassio.

Mr. Watson comes in and takes the seat beside me at the table. “If this doesn’t work out with Chase, let me know. Brandt did say he could use Chase as an extra and give you one of his extras in return.”

I look at the stage and consider. If I need someone to do backup for Cassio, I need someone who could step onto the stage prepared. I glance at Mr. Watson.

“Why don’t we wait and see? I think we’ll still have enough time if Chase doesn’t behave.” And right now, I need time to think about who I might use to replace Hawk if something happens and he can’t be there.

Everyone comes in and I begin rehearsal. We run the problem scenes until everyone has their lines correct. I glance at my phone when Cam sneaks in to sit in the back and do his homework. Mr. Watson furrows his brow, but doesn’t say anything.

After another five minutes, Damon and Hawk walk in and sit next to Cam. Mr. Watson raises an eyebrow, but they remain quiet and work on homework. I breathe out and finish rehearsal.

As I’m packing up, Chase walks over. Mr. Watson is still at the desk.

“I just wanted to thank you for giving me another chance.” Chase seems sincere, but he’s an actor. He’s just had time to practice his lines. “I want to apologize to you and the whole cast tomorrow at afternoon rehearsal, if you’ll let me.”

“I appreciate your apology.” I grab my trash from my salad and pick up my flower. “I can give you a minute, no more, at rehearsal tomorrow. You’ve already taken up too much of my time.”

Chase’s eyes flare, but he smiles. “Of course. Thank you, director.”

He walks over to his bag and snatches it off the ground.

“Good work today. As always, I respect your professionalism.” Mr. Watson heads out after Chase.

“Come on, Annie.” Hawk touches my waist, and I turn to see the others waiting for me. “We need to hurry or we’ll miss the show.”

“The show?” I ask, but let them usher me outside.

Chase gets into his truck right when we step out. He turns on the engine and glitter fills the cab. My mouth opens in shock, but then I giggle.

Cam drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Not the most subtle of pranks, but it’s a good start.”

I glance at Damon, and he nods toward the bikes. As we head over, Chase’s truck door flings open and he steps out, shaking glitter onto the ground.

“Best thing about glitter,” Cam whispers. “It gets everywhere and takes forever to clean up. Unfortunately, Chase’s car is still in the shop. Apparently, it got pushed behind some other cars.”

I smile. “You guys are awesome.”

“We know. Come on, let’s get you home.”

“Damn, man, did you go to the strip club?” Some guy laughs down the hallway behind me.

“Fuck off,” Chase snarls.

I turn as I walk to the acting seminar with Mia to see Chase with glitter on his uniform. It’s Tuesday and somehow a video of the glitter bombing has been passed around. Chase still has glitter everywhere. As a girl who loved dresses with glitter when I was little, I remember how I’d leave little piles of it everywhere I went.

“Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.” Mia laughs. “I’ve played that video at least three times this morning. Though I still say we could have plastered his truck with feminine products.”

I shake my head, and we go into our acting studio. Chase sits as far away from me as possible and in the back of the auditorium. I’m grateful. He ignores the snickers and looks at his phone.

I block him out as class starts and don’t even think about him as we head to our rehearsal. Hawk catches me before we go into the black box room, pushing me against the wall. Mia shakes her head and goes in without me. He puts his hands on either side of my head on the wall as he looms over me.

“It’s not rehearsal out here.” Hawk smiles down at me. “Out here you’re my girlfriend, not my director.”

I put my hand on his chest and push up on my toes to kiss him. I’m getting used to the touches and kisses during school. It makes me worried that when we’re at home, I’m going to slip up and kiss Damon where our parents can see.